Malik demands release of political prisoners before Eid

Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik has demanded release of political prisoners before Eid-ul-Fitr so that they are able to celebrate the festival with their families.

In a statement, Malik said, “Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a police state where every voice of dissent is curbed and crushed by military and police might. This is nothing but undemocratic and unethical.”

He said thousands of Kashmiris are languishing in different jails in and outside state. “India used its forces and agencies like NIA and ED to halt Kashmiri march to freedom but these oppressive measures have failed,” he said adding that New Delhi is employing every “evil” tactic to prolong the incarceration of detainees.

“There are many who are arrested on fictitious charges like the 18 innocent boys from Sher-e-Khaas who have been arrested in DSP murder case and many who are facing wrath of police in various police stations,” he said.

JKLF chief said the ailing women leaders like Syeda Aasiya Andrabi along with Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen are being “penalised” by police.

Malik said India being a signatory to the Geneva Convention on political prisoners is obliged to respect the rights of prisoners but “as with other human rights, India has trampled this right too and is crushing these inmates with impunity”.

“Kashmiris want these innocent political victims to be released from jails soon so that they are also able to celebrate Eid with their families,” JKLF chairman said.